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REMARK^! 



SLAVERY; ^^^^ 



OCCASIONED BY ATTEMPTS MADE 



CIRCULATE IMPROPER PUBLICATIONS 



BY A CITIZEN OF GEORGIA. 

/ ■ . 



PRi:<TED- AT THE S. R. SENTINEL OFFICE. 
1835. 



t^i'i 



jQ^ The following pages were handed the publisher 
some weeks ago, — absence from town prevented their 
immediate publication. Though confided to the pub- 
lisher's discretion, it is believed their being made pub- 
lic will be satisfactory (o the reader. 






REMAKS, &c. 



A number of publications have recently been sent to this place, and 
to other places at the South, by some of the Abolition Associations at 
the North, for the purpose of distribution. One of these papers was 
placed in my hands by a person to whom it was directed — and though 
it has since been returned to the quarter from whence it came, yet I 
deem it not improper to make a few remarks upon the subject to which 
it related ; especially as all those with whom I am associated in life, 
have in this subject an important interest. It seems somewhat extraor- 
dinary, that any set of rational mcn,^n this enlightened age, should be 
so regardless of the ordinary courtesies of life, as to desire to interrupt 
the harmony and quiet of an unoffending people, who are legally pur- 
using their own business, within their oyvn limits, without any disposi- 
tion to interfere with the organization of society in any other section of 
country but their own. There certainly seems very little in the con- 
duct of the Abolition Societies at the North, to recommend them to the 
favorable regard of the inhabitants of this quarter. They seem to- 
speak and to act, as though they imagined, that an entire revolution in 
the state of society here, would be a matter of but little consequence, if 
such an event could be brought about through their instrumentality. 
They speak of slavery as a system of iniquity, at variance with the 
revealed will of God, and a continued violation of his moral law — they 
denounce it as a practical denial of the declaration, that God made of 
one blood, all the inhabitants of the world, and as a disregard of the ' 
rules prescribed for the intercourse of men with one another. In utter 
disregard of the principle tliat the regulation of slavery belongs exclu- 
sively to those^amongst whom it exists, these officious intermeddlcrs 
take upon themselves to pronounce it an evil of serious magnitude, and 
then assume to tliemselves a riglit to remove it, cither with, or without 
the consentof those whose interests are to be affected by their proceed- 
ings ; and they pursue their object in violation of the ordinary maxims 
of moderation or prudence. 

Whatever may be the circumstances connected with slavery — that' 
it is neither a violation of the moral law, nor at variance with the reveal- 
ed will of God, appears to me capable of demonstration ; and in support 



[ 't ] 

of this opinion I take the liberty of submitting the following remarks. 
It will, on all hands, no doubt be agreed, that the Bible alone contains 
the revealed will of God — that we are to look in that Holy Book for 
the moral law. I will therefore take the liberty of enquiring how far 
slavery receives the sanction of this high authority; for beyond the 
support it receives from this, it would be needless to attempt to vindi- 
cate or defend it. 

In an enquiry into the origin of slavery, I should not be inclined to 
go farther back in the history of the world, than to the interesting pe- 
riod when, on the subsiding of the waters of the Deluge, the Ark of 
Noah rested upon the mountains of Ararat. From that time, the mo- 
ral characters of those who had been miraculously preserved from the 
general destruction of the human race, began gradually to be develop- 
ed, and a foundation was thus laid for the diversified orders of society, 
which the subsequent peopling of the world has presented. 

At an eventful period in the life of Noah, some years after the flood, 
we find that Patriarch, who had long been a preacher of rigliteousness, 
uttermg in the language of prophetic inspiration, the fullovving predic- 
tion in relation to the future condition of his family : " Cursed be Ca- 
naan, a servant of servants shall he be to his bretliren — and ho sai,d 
Blessed be the Lord Godof Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant.. 
God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem ; 
and Canaan shall be his servant." By this prophetical denunciation 
the inheritance of Canaan was servitude — " a servant of servants shall 
he be" — to the most degraded species of servitude was he subjected. 
The blessing of God, and the blessings of freedom were pronuunced 
upon Shem and Japheth, and to each of them Canaan was inevitably 
doomed to be a servant. Here, then, when there was but a single 
family upon earth, the inheritance of slavery was entailed upon one 
branch of it. And though " God made of one blood all the nations of 
the earth," or though, rather, all nations proceeded from one family, 
yet it is clearly and undeniably evident, tl)at from this period God did 
not direct that one condition should be the portion of all. For the 
blessings of freedom were secured beyond the possibility of change to 
two branches of the family — the condition of slavery was unalterably 
the portion of another. That the prediction of Noah was uttered 
nnder the influence of the spirit of inspiration — that it looked to the 
dispersion and subsequent circumstances of his family, is not, as far us 
I know, questioned by any one — his language was tliat of prophesy — 
a prophesy which was certainly to be fulfilled, and which has been 
thus far demonstrably accomplished. Whatever difficulties there may 
be in this portion of scripture, the prophesy or prediction, with regard 
to the different conditions of tl^.e three branches of Noah's family, is 



I •• I 

clear and exi>licit. From Noah's (arnily the world has been licopled — 
from the bruiicli of it whoso inheritance was slavery, were dscended 
the nations the Israelites were commanded to destroy, and the African 
race. The general state and condition of the descendants of Canaan, 
being foretold by the spirit of inspiration, when there was but a single 
family upon earth, and when there could be no error as to whom the 
prediction applied, could not have been changed or altered : tiie pro- 
phesy 7nust have been fulfilled, and the aspect of the world at the pre- 
sent day bears testimony to its truth : and however the condition of 
those who were thus doomed to servitude may be mcdiorated by the 
mild discipline and brotherly love which the Gospel is intended to in- 
troduce, there is no absolute certainty that to the prediction itself, with 
all its consequences, there is a7iy limilalion. 

Many years after the prophesy of Noah, and when the children of 
men had greatly increased in numbers and wickedness, it pleased God, 
in the exercise of his sovereign will, to call Abraham from "his asso- 
ciates in idolatry," that he might make of him " a great nation," and 
that " in him all the families of the earth should be blessed." And he 
was plecised to make a covenant witli Abraham, and to ratify it by a sin- 
gular and sealing ordinance, which he and his posterity must " observe 
as a pledge and mark of their being the worshippers and servants of 
Jehovah." In giving directions in relation to the administration ofthis 
ordinance, a distinction was made by the Almighty himself, between 
tlie descendants of the favored branches of Noah's family who were 
the ancjstors of Abraham, and those of the branch doomed to servi- 
tude by the prophesy before noticed. The distinction is that made 
between tlie children of Abraham, born in his house, and those bought 
li'ilh mo7icy who were not o( his seed." All the male children of 
Abraham's family, born in his house, or bought with his money, says 
the 13th verse of the 17th chapter of Genesis, must needs be circum- 
cised, and the covenant was to be in their flesh, " for an everlasting 
covenant :" and in conformity with this direction, wc are informed in 
the 24th and 27th verses of the same chapter, that in t!ie same day 
Abraham was circumcised and his son Ishmael, and all the men of his 
house, born in the house, " and bought with vioney of the stranger.'" 
The command given by God himself to Abraham on this subject, and 
the obedience rendered to it evidence clearly that it was then custom, 
ary, as it had no doubt b3en long before, for servants to be purchased 
with money — they were then bought and sold as they are at this day. 
When the Almighty called Abraham to become the father of the faith- 
ful, and the head of his Church, he would have required him to re- 
linquish his controul over tlie servants he had purchased, if his owning 
or possessing them as properly, had been contrary to the divine will, 



[ « 1 

or at variance with the exemplary character Abraham was to sustain ,' 
but instead of this, directions are given in relation to these dependent 
members of his family, and a sanction is given to their continuance in 
their inferior condition. But while they were continued in Abraham's 
family with all their civil disabilities, they were made capable of enjoy, 
ing the moral and religious advantages which Abraham had himself 
become possessed of, by the covenant established with him. This is 
an interesting and important fact, connected with the calling of the 
great founder and head of the Jewish Church. It was permitted in the 
order of Providence, that the condition of slavery should be continued — 
that servants might be bought and sold ; but though they were thus 
lowered as to certain civil and political rights, the Divine benevolence 
so directed, that this circumstance should not occasion to them any 
moral or religious disability. They might be introduced into the 
Church of God by its initiatory rights, and be partakers of its sealing 
ordinances, and might therefore be, as to their eventual and final con- 
dition, on a footing of perfect equality with their owners. Abraham 
might buy his servants, and he did buy them ; but while he thus ob- 
tained the benefit of their services upon earth, he was to favor their 
instruction in religious truth, and be instrumental in their introduction 
to the Church of God, and the covenant established with them was to 
be an earnest or pledge of their everlasting happiness. They were to 
serve their owners upon earth, and were required to serve them with 
fidelity ; but to the joys of the upper world, they and their owners 
were made capable of being admitted in precisely the same way, on 
exactly the same terms, through the same propitiatory sacrifice, and 
by the same faithful performance of the duties devolving upon them in 
their respective stations. The condition of servitude was evidently 
recognized in the earliest ages of the Church, but servants had abun- 
dant cause of gratitude for the kindness shewn them by their heavenly 
Father, who assigns to all" their respective stations in life, and who, 
though he saw fit to allot to them an inferior situation in a world of 
trial, and of perpetual changes, yet did not thereby in any degree de- 
prive them of those spiritual consolations, which are altogether inde- 
pendent of our earthly condition, and which they might enjoy equally 
with those to whom they owed civil obedience. Their moral charac- 
ters were in no respect lowered : they might rather be exalted in con- 
sequence of their civil condition ; and they might, in a faithful dis- 
charge of duty, look forward with the same confidence their owners 
might do in consequence of similar fidelity, to those rewards of a well 
spent life, which should be of endless duration. 

In the 20th chapter of Genesis, we have an account of Abraham's 
sojourning in Gcrar, and of his imprudence in pretending that his wile, 



[ 7 ] 

was his sister merely ; and in the 14th ver.se of that chapter, we find 
that after Ahraliam had been rebuked for his indiscretion, that the king of 
Gerar "took sheep and oxen, and men servants and women servants," 
and gave them to Abraham. The present was no doubt intended as 
an atonement for what the king was sensible liad been improper in his 
conduct, though he had done no actual injury ; but tlie transaction 
evidences that men servants and women servants were given away or 
sold, with as little ceremony as oxen or sheep were ; for slavery exist- 
ed in Gerar as it did in other places, and servants were there, as in 
other places, considered a part of a man's property or possessions. — 
The present of servants was, in this case, as readily received, as it was 
freely offered. 

In the 24th chapter of Genesis, we have an account of the measures 
taken by Abraham for the settlement of his son Isaac in life. In re- 
flecting on this subject, it became a matter of much solicitude to the 
])arent, that a suitable companion should be selected for his son, and 
particularly that he sliould not become connected with one of the idola- 
trous women of Canaan. He therefore directed an old servant, who 
had been many years in his family, and who he had probably purchas- 
ed in his younger days, to take the necessary measures for obtaining 
a wife for Isaac, from amongst some of his distant kindred, who were, 
like himself, worshippers of the only living and true God. The ser- 
vant accordingly went into the land of Mesopotamia, and endeavored 
by a prudent course of conduct, to bring tlie important business with 
which he was entrusted, to a happy termination. In the over-ruling 
providence of God, it was so directed that an interview soon took place 
between the servant of Abraham and a female named Rebecca, who 
was found to be related to Abraham, and who the servant readily con- 
cluded would be a suitable companion for his master's son. Under the 
pious influence with wiiich he had long been familiar in the family to 
which he belonged, he " blessed the Lord," who had thus far directed 
and prospered him in his journey, and he soon, in simple and appropri- 
ate terms, disclosed to the damsel the object of his visit to that section 
of country, and let her know that his purpose was to obtain for the son 
of his master a bosom companion. And in the belief that his object 
would be attained, if she would favor his views, he made a brief state- 
ment of his own situation in Abraham's family, and of his master's 
circumstances, and of the eligible connection she would form in 
consenting to the proposed alliance. In the language of gratitude and 
of piety, he stated that " the Lord had greatly blessed his master," anri 
that he had become great : Ho has, saiil he, " given him flocks and 
lierds, and silver and gold, and ?nen servants and 7naid servants, and 
camels and asses." The interview terminated to the servant's satisfac- 



[ 8 ] 

tion. Rebecca was not insensible to tlie advantages of the connection 
proposed to her, and was not disposed to reject an offer presented, as 
she thought, under the guidance of an over- ruling Providence, and she 
became soon after the wife of Isaac. It is obvious here, that the pos- 
session of men servants and maid servants were enumerated as amongst 
the blessings from the Lord, as well as the flocks and the herds, the 
silver and the gold, with which Abraham was enriched. Nor is any 
intimation given, that Rebecca hesitated to become the wife of Isaac, 
on account of his being, or his father's being a slave-holder ; nor did 
she seem to consider the moral character of either of them as affected 
by that circumstance. Whether her own family had been always ac- 
customed to the possession of men and women servants, may not be 
certain — from her going to draw water for the flocks, and the readi- 
ness with which she drew for the camels of Abraham's servant, it 
would seem, that in conformity to the custom of that time and country, 
she would not depend upon others to do for her, that which she could 
perform for herself — nor did she seem to notice the apparent want of 
politeness in the servant of Abraham, in not offering to assist in draw- 
ing the water which he himself needed. The reason he did not, result- 
ed, no doubt, from his desire to obtain unequivocal evidences of the 
leadings of Providence, in the meeting between him and the beautiful 
female, who he fondly hoped was to become a member of his master's 
family. 

In process of time, Rebecca became the mother of Jacob, who, 
amidst the vicissitudes of an eventful life, was the peculiar object of 
the divine care ; and we find it recorded in the 43d verse of the 30th 
chapter of Genesis, that " he increased exceedingly, and had much 
cattle, and men servants and maid servants, and camels and asses." 
It is well known to those who read the Bible, how frequently the Lord 
declares himself to be, " the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob,' ' 
and how these patriarchs became the heads and founders, under God, 
of that Church in which the true worship of Jehovah was to be pre- 
served, and from which the Gospel has been transmitted to the present 
period. Yet all these persons were slave owners, and slave holders, 
either by purchase or inheritance, or both. Slaves were enumerated 
as amongst their possessions, as silver and gold, and camels and asses 
were ; and as amongst the blessings bestowed upon them. And there 
is no intimation, 1 believe, made, that the holding of this species of pro- 
perty was improper, or that slavery was at variance with the arrange- 
ments of Divine Providence. 

After the descendant's of these patriarchs, or rather after the chil- 
dren of Jacob had suffered the oppressions of Egypt for many years, 
and the Lord had resolved to deliver them, we find in the directions 



[ 9 1 

given for the observance of the Passover, the same distinction made 
between the servants bought with inoney, and the other servants, tliat 
had been made several hundred years before in the f.imily of Abra- 
ham — for it may be recollected, that the servants bought with money 
l»y Abraham, were to be made members of the Jewish Churcli, by its 
regular instituted ordinance, because, tliey being the proj^er/!/ of Abra- 
ham, he was responsible for them, and they became sharers in his 
religious privileges ; but hired servants were on a different footing — 
they could claim a sort of qualified independence of those who liired 
them, and to whom they owed no permanent obedience. So, when 
the children of Jacob, or as they were now called, the children of Isra- 
el, were about to be delivered from Egypt, it is said, in the 44th verse 
of the 12th chapter of Exodus, that, "every man's servant that was 
bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat 
of the Passover — a foreigner or a hired servant shall not eat thereof." 
These regulations all seem to indicate, that important duties rest upon 
tliose who are the owners of servants, either by purchase or inherit- 
ance, as to the I'eligious instruction to be given them, in order to pre- 
pare them for becoming members of the Church of God. In the direc- 
tions relative to the sacramental feasts, the distinction is constantly 
made between hired servants, and servants bought witli money, and 
the more dependent condition of the latter seems proportionable to in- 
crease tue responsibility of those who own them. No intimation seems 
to be given, that the buying of servants is improper, but the due dis- 
charge of duty towards them is imperiously enjoined. 

In the 21st chapter of Exodus, many directions are given relative to 
slaves — most of these, no doubt, refer to Hebrew slaves, who were in 
many respects differently situated from the slaves purchased of other 
nations ; but the distinction between the two is strongly marked in the 
20th and 21st verses, where it is declared that, "if a man smite his 
servant, or his maid with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall 
surely be punished," but "if he continue a day or two, he shall not be 
punished,ybr he is his money.'''' The wanton destruction of the life ot 
a slave, was considered like a similar outrage upon any other indivi- 
dual, as murder, and was punished as such. But the law scarcely 
supposed that any owner of a slave would voluntarily subject himself 
to the loss of his value, by taking away his life, though he might acci- 
dentally incur such a misfortune by imprudence — he might give his 
slave moderate correction for misconduct with impunity, but if in doing 
this he exceeded the bounds of moderation, and death ensued, he should 
be punished ; but if the unfortunate stroke which happened to prove 
filial, was rather the result of accident than intention, and the slave 
lived a day or two after the chastisement given, the master should not 



[ 10 j 

then be punished, because the slave 7vas his money, whose life the mas- 
ter would have been interested in preserving, and whose loss was a 
pecuniary punishment to him, for his indiscretion or violence. This 
law was not greatly different from the law existing amongst us at the 
present day, in relation to the government of slaves — the owners may 
punish them for misconduct, and that with some severity, if they are 
inconsiderately inclined to do so ; but, if under such punishment the 
slave should actually die, the owner would assuredly be made answer- 
able therefor, according to the circumstances of the case, whether it 
should turn out to be murder, or manslaughter, or excusable homicide. 

The children of Israel, who were the peculiar and chosen people 
of God, were not to buy or sell into perpetual servitude, the cliildren 
of each other — they were all members of one great privileged 
family, and could only sell themselves or their children for a limited 
period ; but for a limited period even the Hebrew children might 
be sold and kept in bondage to each other. But the Israelites were 
permitted and directed to buy their slaves of the nations round 
about them. In the 25th chapter of Leviticus, 44th, 45th and 46th 
verses, are the following directions on this subject : — " Both thy 
bond men and thy bond maids, which thou shall have, shall be of 
the heathen that are round about you — of them shall ye buy bond 
men and bond maids :" moreover of the children of strangers that so- 
journ among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are 
with you, which they begat in your land, and they shall be your pos- 
session. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children 
afler you to inherit them for a possession ; they shall be your bondmen 
forever: "but over your brethren of the children of Israel, ye shall 
not rule, one over another with rigor." Here are directions given for 
the purchase of slaves, and the designation of the period for which they 
might be held in servitude — they should be purchased for an inherit- 
ance for the children of the purchaser, and they should inherit them for 
a possession, and they should be bond servants ybrever. This is a 
period of servitude as extensive as can be found in any of the slave 
holding States of the Union. It intimates a continuance of servitude 
in the person to whom it applies during the entire period of his earthly 
existence — for a longer period no one could desire to have control over 
this species of property. 

The Ten Commandments delivered with awful solemnity from Mount 
Sinai, and which are justly considered as the greatoutlinesof tiie Holy 
Law of God, are intended, in their injunctions and directions, to be of 
universal obligation, to embrace the various classes of society — the 
rich and the poor — masters and servants — parents and children. The 
fourth commandment, and the tenth, suppose a state of servitude to exist 



I n 1 

amongst those to whom they are directed. In the iburtli, in which an 
observance of the Sabbath is enjoined, it is declared, " Six davs shall 
thou labor, but the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord," in it thou shalt not 
do any work, " thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant nor 
thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates," 
&c. And in the tenth, it is said, " thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's 
house — thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant, nor 
his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his." in 
both of these commandments the condition of slavery is evidently sup- 
j)oscd to exist in the same way it did in the time of Abraham, and in all 
subsequent periods to the time the command was given, and they seem 
to look forward to the continuance of that condition for as long a time 
as the obligatory nature of the command shall endure. The head of 
the family is to enjoin the observance of the Sabbath upon his children 
asid servants, and all are forbidden to covet t'.e servants of others. 

We find in the 25th chapter of the 1st verse of Samuel, that David, in 
a period of distress, sent a respectful request to Nabal for a supply of 
provisions; but Nabal very churlishly replied to the messengers, 
" who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There be many servants 
now-a-days that break away every man from his master." The rude 
and contemptuous reply of Nabal, evidences, that the owning slaves at 
tliat period was not only common, but that disorderly ones were to be 
found amongst them, inasmuch as he was so indecorous as to charge 
David and his messengers with being runaway slaves. 

AVe find there were servants engaged with the Jews in rebuilding the 
walls of Jerusalem, for Nehemiah says, in the 16th verse of the 4th 
chapter, that the half of his servants wrought in the work, and so ear- 
iiestly did they work, that he says, in the 23d verse, that neither he 
nor his brethren or his servants put ofT their clothes, &c., and in the 
22d verse of the same chapter, it is said of those from the adjacent 
villages, that " every one with his servant should lodge within Jerusa- 
lem;" and in the 16tli verse of the 5th chapter, Nehemiah says, that 
'■^ all his servants were gathering thither to the work," even to the neg- 
lect probably of some of his private business. 

The Book of Job is, in all probability, as old as any of the Books of 
Moses ; and Job himself, was, it is likely, in his prosperity long Ix.-fore 
the children of Israel left Kgypt — he was pronounced by the Almighty 
to be a perfect and an upright man, ard there is conclusive evidence 
that he was the owner of a great number of slaves — some of them 
we find were destroyed by fire, and many of them were slain by the 
Sabeans and Chaldeans, in those various misfortunes with which Job 
was overwhelmed. In the course of his sufferings, Job speaks of the 
negligence of his servants towards him, though they had been accus- 



I 12 ] 

tomcd to treat him with reverence and respect in the days of his pros- 
perity, and in a restless impatience under his sufferings, he wished that 
he had never been born, or that he might have been early consigned to 
the grave, where he says, " the prisoners rest together, and the servant 
is free from his jnaster." The expressions here convey the idea that 
the rest of the grave, was the only freedom from servitude, which ma- 
ny slaves could expect, or would ever experience, for they would be in 
bondage during^ their whole lives — a condition to which in the order of 
Providence tiiey were sulyected in the present state ; but the condition 
they were placed in here was of but a temporary nature — they were 
hastening to the grave, where the rich and the poor, the small and the 
great, the master and the servant, would all be on a footing — all would 
then be free from temporal calamity, and if they had been faithful in 
the discharge of their respective duties, from the rest of the grave, they 
might hope to rise to everlasting joy. 

We find, in the 24th chapter of Jeremiah, that king Zedekiah made 
a covenant with the people of Jerusalem, that every man should let 
" his man servant or maid servant, being a Hebrew or Hebrewess, go 
free, as they had served out the time for which the Jews could hold 
each other in bondage. And it appears that the princes and the peo- 
pie let the Hebrew servants go free ; but after having done this, they 
again brought them into subjection, contrary to the law of God in re- 
gard to Hebrew servants, and for this conduct they were severely 
punished. The same authority which authorised the limited servitude 
of Hebrew slaves, authorized the perpetual servitude of others, and none 
but Jewish servants were embraced in the covenant of king Zedekiah, 
and that covenant was to carry into effect the known law of the Jewish 
nation. 

David and Solomon both speak of slaves and slavery as a known and 
recognized condition in society : the king's favor, says Solomon, is to- 
wards a wise servant — and again he says, "a servant will not be cor- 
rected by words." And David says, as the eyes of servants look unto 
liic hands of their m^ister's, and the eyes of a maiden to her mistress, so 
our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, &c. 

If we pass from the Old to the New Testament, we shall find a perfect 
ro-incidence on this subject in the two dispensations. I am not aware 
ofany expression in the New Testament, forbidding individuals to hold 
slaves, or requiring the owners of slaves to emancipate them- Many 
directions are given to masters as to their treatment of their slaves, and 
1 > slaves as to the fidelity with which their duties should be performed ; 
l)ut no intimation is given, that it is necessary the relationships between 
masters and servants should be dissolve<l, nor is any direction given by 
C^:hiX himself, as far as I know, that such relationships should be termi- 



I ^^ I 

JuitcJ. In the (iospel, as under the Abrahamic covenant, servuntii are 
invited to become partakers of those spiritual privileges with which their 
everlasting interests are connected. But it is no where intimated, that 
these important interests will be advanced, by their neglect of the duties 
attached to their civil condition, or that those duties can be omitted or 
neglected, consistently with the requisitions of the Christian dispensation. 
Paul, who was a most faithfid Apostle, gives directions to servants, who 
have believing masters, how to conduct towards them, and also how to 
behave towards those who were not believers ; their civil duties were, 
in either case, to be duly performed, whatever might be the religious 
character of their owners. Had there been any thing immoral or im- 
proper in holding or owning slaves, is it to be supposed there would not 
have been found something in the Apostolic writings condemning it ? I 
am aware of the arguments founded on the reciprocal duties which in- 
dividuals owe to each other, and while allowing in their utmost latitude 
the divine injunctions on this subject, I still say, that there is nothing in 
them, in my view, which requires the owner of a slave to liberate him, or 
which forbids his being continued in bondage. If slavery is absolutely 
unlawful, there must be some express prohibition of it in scripture : if no 
such prohibition is to be found, it would seem that its unlawfulness could 
not be easily demonstrated. That it might be generous in the owner of 
a slave to liberate him, no one would question, even if the slave were not 
benefited thereby ; but whether it is the duty of an individual to do this, 
is another matter. Acts of duty and acts of generosity may have their 
origin in very different principles. What the Gospel requires, it is our 
duty to do : the authority of that is unquestionable. 

In the time of Christ and his Apostles, tne slavery existing then was 
similar to that found in our country at the present period, except that 
it was in many respects more severe ; but tiiere was then no crusade 
instituted against it. The Apostles did not go forth and organize Abo- 
lition Societies, or attempt to disturb the civil relations of men, under 
pretence that the order of things which under God had been establish- 
ed must be overturned. They preached the Gospel to masters and 
servants, and promised its rewards to all who would obey its precepts. 
They told masters to give unto their servants that which was just and 
equal — and told servants to be obedient to their masters, and thus they 
endeavored by prescribing the duty, to promote the comfort of both. 
" Servants," says the Apostle Peter, " be subject to your masters with 
all fear ; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For 
this is thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, 
suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye are buffeted 
for your {Jiults ye shall take it patiently ? but if wiien ye do well and 
suffer for it yctake it patiently, this is acceptable to God." 'The Apos- 



I 1^ 1 

tie well knew the nature of man, and he here supposes what might no 
doubt happen, that some persons in a state of slavery and belonging to 
the Church, might have passionate or inconsiderate masters, who might 
buffet or beat them when they did not deserve such treatment ; 
but under these circumstances he recommends to them the exercise of 
such a meek and quiet spirit, even suffering wrongfully, as would do 
credit to their profession, and be acceptable to God : and as an encour- 
agement to them to do so, he reminds tliem of their suffering Saviour, 
who had endured much more to save them from eternal suffering, than 
they would under any circumstances endure by any injustice to which 
they might be subjected. For even " hereunto were ye called," says 
he, " because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye 
should follow his steps." But in the humble and submissive spirit they 
recommend, the Apostles neither intended to sanction or countenance 
any species of cruelty or injustice, but only to direct the course of con- 
duct to be pursued when these should occur, as they might do in a world 
where so much latitude was given to the unruly passions of men. In 
numerous instances directions are given to masters to be kind to their 
servants, and attentive to their comforts. " And ye masters," says 
Paul, in the 16th chapter of K phesians, "do the same things to your 
servants forbearing threatening, knowing tliat your master also is in 
heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him." The solemn 
truth, that all men had a master in heaven, who would hereafter deal 
with them according to their moral characters, without regard to the 
civil conditions they had sustained in life, was well calculated to impress 
upon all a due sense of the importance of a faithful discharge of duty in 
every situation of life. The reciprocal duties of masters and servants 
are enjoined by all the Apostles, and those relationships seem to be re- 
cognized throughout all the sacred writings. 

In the early period of our Saviour's ministry upon earth, a Roman 
centurion applied to him to heal his servant who, he said, was sick of the 
palsy. The tender concern of the Roman soldier for his servant, and 
his faith in the power of the person he addressed, presents his character 
to us in a most favorable point of view. Our Lord received his ap- 
plication kindly, saying, " I will come and heal him." The centurion, 
probably surprised at the ready condescension of the Saviour, and full 
of confidence in his power, intimated that he was not worthy he 
should come under his roof, but that if he would barely "speak the 
word," the object he solicited would be obtained : " For I," said he, 
" am a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to 
one go and he goeth, and to another come and he cometh, and to my 
servant do this and he doeth it." Thus intimating his conviction thats 
the Saviour had as absolute control over all diseases, as he had over his 



[ 1.^ j 

own servants. The Saviour commendod his faitli, and granted iiini the 
desired favor, but did not question his right to iiold or own the servants 
o( whom lie spoke. 

During the whole period of our Saviour's ministry upon earth, he 
was surrounded by those who were slave holders — in one of his dis- 
courses with his disciples, we find him discriminating between servants 
and those indifferent situations: "Henceforth," says he, " I call you 
not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth, but I 
have called you friends," &c. And we find that there were servants 
amongst the crowds who heard the messages of Christ, and servants 
met the nobleman whoso son Jesus had miraculously cured, and told him 
"thy son liveth," and ihei/, with the father and son, in this case became 
believers in him whose mercy they experienced. There were servants, 
and probably many of them in that crowd, who went with Judas to ar- 
rest th'j Saviour, for when one of the disciples drew a sword, and with 
it made a random blow, he " cut off the ear of a servant of the high 
priest;" and we afterwards find in the 26th verse of the 18th chapter 
of John, that another servant of the high priest, who was kinsman to 
the one that had been wounded, charged Peter with being one of the 
disciples of Jesus, just before that crowing of the cock whose sound 
pierced Peter to the heart ; and there stood also at the same time other 
" servants with the ofticers warming themselves" at the fire of coals 
that had been made. Yet we do not find that at this interesting period, 
or at any time in the life of the Saviour, when he was surrounded by 
masters and servants, and when he well knew the condition of all about 
him, that he ever pronounced it improper to own servants, or required 
those who did own, to liberate and discharge them. And I trust it w^ill 
not be deemed irreverent to remark, that in his discourses we may con- 
fidently look for as correct opinions, and as pure morality, as we could 
rationally hope to find in any of the Abolition speeches or publications 
of the present day. 

The Apostle Paul not only recognized as legal the relationship of 
master and servant, but took great pains to restore a runaway slave to 
his owner. The account of this transaction is to be found in Paul's 
Epistle to Philemon. It seems that Philemon, who had been con- 
verted under Paul's preaching, was the owner of a slave named 
Onesimus, over whom, as the law then stood, he had the power of life 
and death. In consequence of some misconduct for which he appre- 
bonded punishment, or from some other cause, this slave ranaway from 
his master, and fled to Rome, " a distance of several hundred miles," 
where he accidentally heard Paul preach, and was converted. Paul 
of course became interested in his welfare, and knowing from his own 
•confession, or m some other way, the manner in which he had left, his 



I 16 j 

master, he was desirous of sending him back, and seemed anxious that 
beth master and servant, should behave in a manner becoming their 
christian profession. To insure Onesimus a favorable reception from 
his owner, Paul wrote the Epistle mentionnd, which has been much 
admired as a prudent and masterly production for the purpose intended, 
well calculated to restore the proper relations that had before existed 
between the parties. St. Paul in this case conducted as became his 
christian character — he knew it to be improper for Onesimus to absent 
himself from his master's service without leave ; and he knew also, that 
the manner of his coming away, might naturally excite a spirit of re- 
sentment which he was desirous to moderate — he therefore induced the 
servant to return to his duty, and exerted himself to secure him a favor- 
able reception from his owner. The latter object could scarcely have 
been more effectually accomplished, than by informing Philemon, that 
Onesimus had become a member of the same church with himself, and 
whom he might therefore, in that respect, receive as a brother, without 
any relinquishment of the services he had a right to claim from him as 
his servant, and which services he would no doubt, under the change of 
circumstances, demand with becoming tenderness and moderation. 
Had Paid been influenced by the spirit of some of our modern Abolition- 
ists, he would probably have disregarded the master's rights in this 
case, and have encouraged the slave to continue in a course of disobe- 
dience, and have aided in obstructing, rather than in promoting his 
return to his duty. But Paul being a christian, he knew what was 
becoming in christians in all situations, and there can be no doubt, but 
that both master and servant were made better by the Apostle's inter- 
ference and advice. 

With these facts, and with a multitude of others that might be pre- 
sented from the same source, will the Abolitionists assert that there is 
no sanction for slavery given in scripture, or will it not be necessary 
before making such assertions, to prove that all such facts should be ex- 
punged from the sacred records ? It will not, however, be pretended 
though the scripture sanctions slavery, that it any where commands it, 
and from the principle of brotherly love which the sacred volume incul- 
cates, no one will pretend, I presume, that it would be a transgression 
of any of its rules, for the owners of slaves to emancipate them whenever 
they should deem it expedient to extend to them this privilege. But 
this is a matter resting altogether with those, whose interests and whose 
feelings would be effected by such a proceeding. There exists no au- 
thority in any body of men, so far as I know, to destroy the relation- 
ships existing between masters and servants in our country, without the 
voluntary consent of the master himself. 



[ 17 J 

But tlw Abolitionists at the Nortli openly avow a delerminaiion to 
effect an eventual emancipation of the slaves in the Southern States at 
all events, and not to cease their exertions until this object is accom- 
plished, whether their owners will consent to it or not. As an entering 
wedge on the subject, to be driven up according to the success attending 
their first efforts, they propose an application to Congress, to abolish 
slavery in the District of Columbia, and if this purpose is accomplisiied 
they calculate upon more extended success. The petitions to Con- 
gress, those heretofore presented and those preparing, are predicated 
upon the eJiclusive autliority vested in Congress for certain purposes 
over the District in question. But the authority of Congress does not 
in my view extend to this subject even in Columbia. By the 16th 
clause of the 8tli section of the first article of the Constitution of the 
United States, it is declared that Congress siiall have power, "to exer- 
cise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District 
(not exceeding ten miles square) as may by cession of particular States, 
and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of government of the 
United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased, 
by consent of the legislature of the State in which the same shall be, 
for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals," &c. Under this clause 
from the cessions of tlie States of Maryland and Virginia the seat of 
government was established in the now District of Columbia ; but the 
authority granted to Congress to legislate exclusively over the District, 
was an authority to exercise control over such matters as were the 
usual subjects of legislative regulation. It never was intended, when 
the ten miles square should be ceded to Congress, that the citizens 
within those limits should hold their property by a different tenure from 
that, by which the inhabitants without those limits held theirs. It was 
never intended that Congress should have the exclusive right of dispos- 
ing of the possessions of individuals witiiin those limits, any more than 
that they should have the right to dispose of the possessions of individu- 
als in other sections of the country. The inhabitants of tiie District of 
Columbia, have the same exclusive right to all their possessions — to 
their houses, lands, money, goods or slaves, as the individuals of any 
other part of tlie country have to theirs, and Congress could with as 
much propriety pass a law to deprive any and every citizen of that 
District, of his house, his land, or his money, as of his slaves, for every 
citizen has the same exclusive right to one species of property as to ano- 
ther. With what propriety then could Congress pass a law depriving 
the citizens of that District of their slaves, any more than they could 
pass a law for robbing them in any other way ? I saw it stated in one 
of the anti.slavery publications, that there were a number of '•hmnan 
beings framed in the image of God," held in slavery by the government 
3 



[ 18 ] 

of Colmnbia who ouglit to be liberated, &c. Now, according to my 
idea, there is not a single human being held in slavery in the District of 
Columbia, by the government : if the government own any slaves there, 
they may certainly liberate or sell them ; but to say the government 
hold them in slavery, because individuals own them there, seems not to 
be a very correct mode of speaking— it is making the government hold 
in its hands the property of its citizens, and to be able to dispose of it at 
pleasure. The government no more hold the servants of the citizen* 
of Columbia District in slavery, than it holds the carriages, the horsesy 
and the funds of the people there in its power. Congress have the 
same kind of legislative authority over the places purchased by the 
consent of legislatures of the respective States, for forts, arsenals, maga- 
zines, &c., that they have over the District of Columbia ; and will it 
be pretended that they would be authorized to pass a law, liberating the 
slaves that might be found in these various locations in the different 
States, without the consent of their owners ? Does the power of exclu- 
sive legislation granted by the Constitution, convey the right of making' 
a separation between property and its owners in those Districts, without 
regard to the claims or rights of those by whom the property is held ? 
Congress can legislate for the District of Columbia, but the robbery of 
citizens can surely be no part of legitimate legislation. If the slaves 
are ever liberated in the District in question, it must be by the volun- 
tary consent of those who own them : if this consent is obtained, the 
question is there at an end — without it, their rights are not to be shaken. 
In many of the speeches and publications of the Abolitionists, some 
pretty highly drawn descriptions of the state of slavery in the Southern 
States are presented, which those living there would scarcely recognize 
as correct representations of their country. From some of these, a 
person who did not know better might be inclined to suppose that there 
was a constant feeling of hostility or oppression encouraged or main- 
tained, between the slaves and their owners, and that this feelings 
where power was altogether on one side, and unconditional submission 
on the other, led oflen to acts of cruelty and injustice; and cases in 
confirmation of this idea are sometimes furnished by writers, who appear 
to have given a furlow to truth, that the imagination might range un- 
restricted. That acts of cruelty may and do occur in countries where 
slavery exists, no rational individual will question— and that acts of 
cruelty may and do occur in places where slavery is not known, is 
most certainly demonstrated both by experience and testimony ; but to 
consider occasional acts of cruelty as presenting a correct view of the 
country in general, where they happen, would be as unreasonable as it 
would be to consider a country perpetually inundated, because a tra- 
veller on a journey happened to fall in with a mill pond in it. Let the 



I 19 1 

writers who are so sensitive on tbis subject make a visit to one of the 
Southern Stales, in company with some moderate or extensive slave 
holder who has been with his family on a summer excursion, (md let 
him witness the cheerful excitement, the undisguised satisfaction and 
heartfelt joy manifested by the slaves at home, as the family return to 
their dwelling — let him witness the delight with which the old servants 
and the young ones, meet tlieir owners and their children, and let him 
then judge for himself, whether there are any of tliose hostil* feelings, 
those inimical sensations on either side, which he might have previously 
supposed both sides to have entertained. The fact is, there is a warm and 
sincere attachment very generally felt by the slaves for their owners, 
and there is an affectionate regard felt and manifested by their owners 
towards them — a mutual sort of friendly feeling naturally growing out 
of the relation they sustain towards each other, and which tends to the 
comfort of both. And in numerous Ccises, neither the prosperity or 
happiness of the slave would be promoted by an acceptance of eman- 
cipation, if the anti-slavery associations could furnish it. In many 
cases I have no doubt it would be rejected ; and where it was not, the 
instances would not be few, where the condition of the slave would be 
made worse by accepting it. 

I happened a few years ago to be passing from Providence, in Rhode 
Island to Boston, I stopped for a while on my way, at a large, well 
known and elegant establishment, some miles from the lutter place. I 
sat down while there in the front piazza to converse a short time with 
the landlord, a very pleasant and intelligent man, who finding where I 
came from, made various remarks upon the different classes of popula- 
tion at the South and the North, and seemed inclined to believe that the 
actual condition of the slaves in the Southern States, was not correctly 
understood in the quarter where he lived. He remarked to me, that 
a few days before, an elegant carriage with a genteel family stopped at 
his house — that the driver, a fine looking black man, was very active 
in relieving his horses, and taking them to the stable, and that when 
they were provided for, he was brushing and cleaning his harness and 
putting every thing in the best order. He said he went and entered 
iiito conversation with him, and found he was from South Carolina, that 
his owners had been on a summer trip, and were now returning home, 
and he with them. The landlord asked him if he wished to get back 
to the country where men of his color were generally slaves, and whe. 
ther he would not rather remain in that quarter, if he might be permit- 
ted to do so, where he might enjoy the sweets of liberty — He replied, 
that he wanted to get back to Carolina with his master and mistress, he 
said he had seen "enough of the free negroes in Boston, and that he would 
be very sorry to change places with any of them." He appeared, the 



[ 20 ] 

landlord said, to look with contempt upon the free blacks in the 
places where he had been, and seemed to rejoice that he did not belong 
to that " poor sort o' class." This case, I presume, was not a solitary 
one — many a Southern servant, who witnesses the miserable condition 
of much of the free coloured population of the Northern cities, returns 
rejoicing to that servitude in the Soutliern country, which many of the 
Northern emancipators would try to persuade him was enormously 
oppressive. The Carolina carriage driver, it is probable, would have 
retained all his Southern preferences, even if one of the leading Abo- 
litionists in New York had introduced him into his drawing room, and 
had him amused with the pleasant notes of the piano ; for in defiance 
of such allurements he would have indulged the pleasing anticipations 
of again enjoying the less refined, but more acceptable vocal music, 
which he well knew might be expected on his master's premises. 

An account was published some days ago in a Northern paper of an 
application made for the admission of a little white girl to the alms 
house in New York. On enquiry, it was found that she had been from 
her infancy under the charge, or in possession of an ur feeling man who 
had treated her like a dog — she was then a good looking girl, about 
fourteen years of age ; and after the applicant had secured her a 
place where he wished, and was about retiring, he offered her his 
hand in taking leave of her — she shrunk back from his offered hand, 
and the circumstance being noticed, led to some examination by the 
person she was left with, when it was found that her hand and arm was 
much bruised ; and, oh ! sir, said she, " my back is very sore where 
my master has beat me" — and on investigation it was found, that she 
was cut with a whip, from the shoulders to the calves of her legs, and 
some of the stripes were inflamed and festered. Whether the person 
who had charge of this little defenceless female belonged to the Aboli- 
tion Society or not, I have not heard — it is likely enough that he did, 
for such differences between theory and practice amongst sentimental 
philanthropists, sometimes happen. Be this as it may, here was an in- 
stance of cruelty, barbarous, unfeeling cruelty, which it is believed has 
few equals in the slave holding States, towards any portion of their 
colored population. But should we from this instance undertake to 
judge of the usual conduct of those having ichite servants, or friendless 
children under their care in New York ? Should we from this vile in- 
stance pretend to estimate the humanity and feeling of that great and 
polished city, or of that flourishing State? Surely no reasonable being 
would do any such thing ; and yet it would be just as rational and pro- 
per, to make up a general opinion from this solitary case, as it would 
fee to judge of the usual treatment of slaves at the South, from some 
jnstancrs of ahi].s(>, which an abolition writer might collect, or which in 



1 21 I 

the exercise of his ingenuity he might invent; from such a statement for 
instance as was published not long since in an Eastern paper, as " an 
extract of a letter from Georgia." 

With the subject of slavery at the South, it would certainly be as well 
for our Northern brethren in no respect to interfere, — this is a matter 
belonging exclusively to the Southern people, and let them have the 
management of it. Many erroneous views are entertained abroad in 
relation to the condition of this portion of our population. A vast pro- 
portion of the slaves in the Southern country, enjoy as many of the 
comforts of life, as are allotted to many day laborers in any other 
country, and many of them would gain but little as to real enjoyment, 
if they were to change places witli their owners; and I am not sure 
that any great mistake would be made by an individual who, on forming 
an estimate on f his subject, should assert that the colored population was 
on the whole the happiest class of our community. They work, to be 
sure, as laborers do in other countries, and as laborers must do if they 
expect to live any where. "In the sweat of his brow," it was decreed 
that man should eat bread, till he returned to the " dust from whence 
he was taken ;" but the industry necessary to man's support is favor- 
able to his enjoyment, and the laborer who by his own exertions is 
enabled to supply his own wants, has a reasonable share of all that 
happiness which can be enjoyed here below. While the industrious 
individual will usually be virtuous and happy, the idle one will be 
vicious and miserable in every condition of life. The different grades 
in society are necessary in the arrangements of Providence, and are in 
accordance with his will ; and we should no doubt make very errone- 
ous calculations in attempting to judge of the happiness of one class of 
community, by contrasting its condition and mode of living with that of 
another class. In the Divine benevolence a due degree of enjoyment 
is allotted to all, and one class, or one individual, finds much satisfac- 
tion in a station or pursuit, which would afford little comfort to others. 
The slaves in the Southern States, contrary to the opinion of many 
who never witnessed it, engage in their labors with readiness and spi- 
rit ; they seldom require coersive measures to urge them to duty. They 
who witness their cheerfulness when they meet together of an evening, 
or even when employed in their usual avocations, would not suppose 
they ever yielded to depression of spirit, or felt regret at the stations 
they occupied — in fact, dissatisfaction and regret is seldom manifested 
by them. A mischievous fellow getting amongst them and bent upon 
evil, might be instrumental in exciting restlessness and discontent, 
which otherwise would have been wholly unknown, and might occa- 
sion mischief, which, without him, would never have happened. But 
is this to hp wonderod at. whon wo wjtne^fs thf» discontent, which an 



[ 22 ] 

artful or designing politician is sometimes instrumental in producing in 
the ranks of freemen, even under the most perfect forms of civil govern- 
ment? That evil men may be successful in exciting mischief, the 
mobs which occur in populous cities conclusively demonstrate. 

However unfavorably a state of slavery may be viewed, still as it 
exists in this country it has advantages over some other conditions 
which may be found in all communities upon earth. The slave is in- 
deed obliged to work for his support while he has health and strength, 
as many others have to do ; but when he is sick he is certain of being 
provided for — he knows his owner will take care of him ; if he has a 
wife and children, he is sure they will not suffer in consequence of his 
indisposition ; during his illness he is supplied with nourishment and 
nursed with care, and that without anxiety or expense to himself; and 
when he recovers his health, he does not find that he has contracted a 
debt which he is unable to pay, and he does not therefore fear a justi- 
ces warrant, nor is he troubled with bank notices; and he feels confident 
that there will be no diminution of his family supplies in consequence 
of his having his earnings for a while suspended. Still it may be said, 
and truly said, that this individual is not free — that is, that he has not 
that sort of political freedom which his owner enjoys. But what if he 
had this, would he then be any better off — would this something of 
which he may be told without duly understanding it, actually diminish 
his toils, or increase his enjoyment? Less labor than he now per- 
forms would not put him in possession of the comforts with which he is 
now surrounded, and more he would not be apt to perform by way of 
providing against misfortune. To a large proportion of the slave po- 
pulation emancipation would not be a blessing, they would not live 
better than they now do in consequence of the change — they would not 
work less for a support, or such of them as did work, less would proba- 
bly acquire habits, which would occasion to them the change of a 
comfortable habitation for a jail or a workhouse. 

Intent as the abolitionists are upon effecting a change in the condi- 
tion of the slave population of our country, they appear to make very 
little enquiry, whether they are prepared for the change they propose, 
or would be benefitted by it — they seem to think that a set of beings 
who have long been accustomed to a situation in which they are useful 
and where they are satisfied, can at once be transfered to a different 
station, without any of the requisite preparations for the alteration. It 
is the civil condition of the slave alone which excites their solicitude — 
their more important interests they very little regard. Were they to 
urge upon the owners of slaves the importance of communicating to 
them moral and religious instruction, and were this subject properly 
treated, it is very possible they might be instrumental in doing some 



[ 23 ] 

good, while in their present course of conduct they are only doing mis- 
chief, and that continually. For what benefit have they yet done to 
the colored population of our country — they have made their condition 
worse even at the North, and seem likely to make it worse at the 
South. It is to them the outrages against the negroes in the Northern 
States are to be attributed ; they have occasioned the house burnings, 
the beatings, and the robberies that the poor negroes have sustained 
there, and how much good can they be supposed capable of doing tliem 
here ? I do not say, or pretend, that the leading Abolitionists at the 
North have themselves gone to the negro houses, pulled them down, 
and destro3'ed their contents ; but I have no doubt, that they have by 
their imprudent proceedings occasioned these evils — they have result- 
ed from their injudicious intermeddling with matters which did not 
belong to them, in relation to the religious and moral instruction of 
the slaves, it will not be pretended that there is not a lamentable de- 
ficiency in this respect almost every where : were proper exertions 
made to communicate to them the important truths which the Bible 
contains, there can be no doubt their moral characters would be great- 
ly improved. The Bible contains nothing but what it would be desira- 
ble that every class of beings in community should be made acquainted 
with ; and the more perfectly those in a state of servitude were in- 
structed in the truths and doctrines of the word of God, the better 
would they be qualified for discharging the duties of the stations they 
might be called in the order of Providence to fill. The Bible contains 
the rule of conduct for masters and servants — it enjoins a just and pro- 
per course upon all orders of men, and forbids any violent attempts to 
overturn the settled order of society, in pursuit of any selfish purposes. 
And while the great rule " of doing to others as we would tbat they 
should do to us," is acknowledged to be obligatory, it should be under- 
stood, that in its application a due regard should be paid to the situation 
of the parties on whom it is to operate. And if a servant under this 
view were to conclude, (as he would do if he reasoned justly,) that if 
he were a master he would not incline to have his rights invaded by his 
servant ; and if a master were to reflect, that if he were a servant he 
would be unwilling to be subjected to injustice or cruelty ; — the rea- 
soning of each would lead to a correct course of conduct in both. It 
would tend to make each render to the other that which was right ac- 
cording to their respective situations. Each would be required to do 
to the other, what the other might be expected to do to him, were there 
a change made in their respective stations. It is highly probable, that 
the want of duly discriminating between the civil and moral condition of 
slaves, has in many instances occasioned erroneous impressions on the 
subjpct of their roliirious instruction. All instruction communicated to 



[ 24 ] 

them should have an exclusive reference to their moral improvement — 
with their civil condition their teachers should in no respect interfere : 
it is from the evil of sin they should aim to deliver them, and from its 
bitter consequences to secure them ; and wbile this object is faithfully 
adhered to and regarded, much good might be effected. Tiie consola- 
tions of the Gospel reach individuals in every situation of life — its 
directions are not confined to any one class exclusively — its blessings 
are freely offered to all. The Saviour died to redeem the fallen race 
of man — through his merits and righteousness and the influence of his 
regenerating spirit, salvation can be obtained by the high and the low, 
the rich and the poor, the bond and the free. As the situation of ser- 
vants necessarily circumscribes their spiritual privileges, their owners 
ought to feel it a duty to provide for their proper instruction, for the 
more intimately they become acquainted with the great truths of the 
Gospel, the more will their moral characters be elevated. The inevi- 
table tendency of the Gospel is to make men better in every condition 
of life. And it will not be questioned, 1 presume, but that all the im- 
portant truths of the Gospei may be orally communicated to those who 
are incapable of reading them. The first salutary effect of the Mora- 
vian efforts amongst the degraded Esquimaux Indians, was produced 
by the mere reading to them the account of the Saviour's suffering and 
death. In the same way may all the important truths of the sacred 
volume be communicated. The Abolitionists I know are often free in 
their censures upon those regulations in the slave holding Slates, which 
prohibit tlie slaves from being taught to read. But as favorable a 
subject as this is for declamation, 1 would ask, what proportion of the 
slave population of our country could, under any circumstances, be 
made to be a reading people ? But wiiat is of more importance to ask, 
what proportion of them, if all could read, would confine their reading 
to books that would improve their morals as well as inform their minds ? 
If those who could read, would read the Bible only, or books which 
tended to illustrate its truths, reading would then be beneficial to them, 
and to those amongst whom they resided. But if they were to read, 
as they no doubt would be invited to do, those publications which the 
anti-slavery presses would furnish, their reading would then only tend 
to make them restless and discontented, and would probably seduce 
them to a course that would ensure their ruin. A consideration of the 
difficulty of keeping improper publications from those who could read 
tl;em, has no doubt had its influence in producing many regulations on 
this subject. When we consider the mischief done in many communi- 
ties of freemen by the circulation amongst them of vile and licentious 
publications, is it to be wondered at, that an opinion should be enter- 
tained, tiiat a capacity for reading similar productions might not be 



t 25 ] 

beneficial to a still more ignorant class ? The Abolitionists theinaclveg 
occasion restrictions on this subject, which they afterwards take plea- 
sure in condemning. 

It ouglit to be the desire of all benevolent individuals, and of all 
political economists, to be instrumental in producing the greatest 
amount possible of human happiness ; but such an object would be 
very little promoted by the liberation of the colored population of the 
Southern States with their present acquirements, either as related to 
themselves or those amonget whom they resided. As an evidence of 
this, look at the free negroes in those sections of country where their, 
numbers are comparatively few. Have their characters been eleva- 
ted as their civil privileges liave been increased ? Have they been 
found generally very desirable members of the communities in which 
they live ? What is the proportion of crime committed by them, as 
estimated by their numbers, when compared with the white population 
amongst whom they reside, or with the slave population in any of the 
slave holding States ? 1 verily believe there are fewer crimes of the 
more attrocious grades committed by the slave population of the South- 
ern States, taken altogether, than there are committed by an equal 
number of other colored people wherever they may be located ; and I 
do not know but I might safely say, there were fewer of the higher 
order of offences committed by them, tlian would be found to be com- 
mitted by an equal number of individuals in almost any other country 
whatever. There are fewer murders, for instance, occurring amongst 
the slaves in the slave holding States, than are committed amongst an 
equal number of individuals almost any where. Let those who doubt 
this examine the court records from abroad, or of our own land, embra- 
cing a population of more than two millions of persons, and compare 
the criminal convictions there, with those which take place amongst 
our slave population, and see in whose favor the comparison will pre- 
ponderate. It is not intended by these remarks to intimate that slavery 
is particularly favorable to morality, but it is intended to say that there 
has been, and continues to be, a vast deal of misapprehension on this 
subject, especially amongst those Abolitionists who suppose, or pretend, 
that in the slavery of the South, there is a continued succession of 
crimes, as well as of injustice and cruelty. I have very little doubt 
but that there are now fewer crimes committed amongst the slave 
population of the Southern States, than there would be in any brief 
period amongst the same individuals if they w^ere made free — the 
change in their circumstances would not promote their industrious ha- 
bits, and would in all probability occasion a resort to modes of living 
very little in accordance with their moral advancement. 

I saw pu^U^bed a few days since in a Northern paper, an account 



i ^ ] 

a{ & meeting of the citizens of Palmyra, a town in !he State ot' Net?' 
York, for the purpose of taking measures for " ridding that place 
of the vagabond negroes" by whom it was alledged " to be infested 
to an alarming extent, and for devising some efficient and legal means 
of security against their nocturnal depredations and demoralizing in. 
fluence ;" and in the proceedings of the meeting it was declared "that 
they had been seriously annoyed by these people," who they pro- 
nounce to be, "with few exceptions, lazy, dissolute, pilfering vagabonds^, 
generally refusing to labor for adequate compensation, but depending 
on their nightly thefts and the poor laws for their means of subsist- 
ence :" and they request "the owners of houses which they occupy 
to expel them forthwith, and hereafter to refuse to receive them as 
tenants." This meeting was held, and these declarations were made, 
by a part of the inhabitants of the State of New York, at the very 
time another part of them were sending their vile publications to this 
quarter in order to effect a change, which might convert the honest 
and industrious servants here, into such " dissolute and pilfering vaga- 
bonds," as they resolve to expel from their territories and exclude fron> 
their houses. It can only be necessary to state this fact, to enable 
every reader to form a correct opinion, of it* If a few free negroeff 
■were found so offensive and troublesome to the citizens of New York,- 
why should they be anxious to increase their numbers, where they 
have no certainty of their being more acceptable or more orderly T 
Why not leave the coloured population here in quiet enjcyment of the 
comforts with which they are provided, and to that salutary employ- 
ment which preserves them from the vices and debasement, v/hieh are 
the usual consequences of idleness ? 

The efibrts of the Abolitionists, it is ciear, are nci calculated to prO'- 
mote the interests, or advance the comfort of the slaves- or their owners 
— but if they did either, what right have they to intermeddle with this 
subject at all 1 what right have they to send their publications or their 
emissaries here to promulgate doctrines calculated to excite discontent 
in any portion of our community ? If let alone, the slave population 
of our country would quietly discharge their duties, and be satisfied 
with their situation. The cultivation of the earth requires and must 
have laborers, — but those laborers are nowhere without their comforts" 
and I have little doubt, if an accurate estimate could be made, but that 
there would be ibund to be as much actual enjoyment amongst the cul- 
tivators of the earth at the South, as there would be anwngst an equal 
number of laborers in any other places — there would be found as few 
individuals amongst them suffering for the necessaries of life, and as 
few wives and children in want. How oflen do we read of tumultuous 
proceedings in foreign countries amongst laborers from distresses ex- 



[ 27 1 

p^rienced for want of employment, and how serious are sometimes the 
evils of these tumults ? But in the slave holding States these difficul- 
ties do not occur — the labor that is required is performed as directed, 
and the industrious slave having executed his task for his master, has 
often a part of the day to work for himself, and has a piece of land 
assigned him to work on, and he often realizes an ample reward for his 
industry. When there happens to be little work to do the slave is not 
troubled in consequence of it, and if the result of his labor proves less 
profitable than was hoped for, the slave is not incommoded tliereby, his 
wants are supplied, and he is satisfied. Where is the necessity then 
for strangers to intermeddle with his condition ? and what right have 
they to intrude like the serpent into the garden of Eden to disturb the 
peace of those, who without such interference, would enjoy uninterrupt- 
ed tranquillity ? The slaves themselves are not, and can not be ben?- 
fited by such iiitrusions, and they are usually far from desiring them. 
As one, amongst other evidences of this, I will mention the following 
circumstance, which I understood recently occurred at no great dis- 
tance from this place. A respectable planter had given permission to 
a white individual to hold religious meetings with his coloured people 
on his premises at pleasure. This individual, instead of attending to 
his proper duty, had the imprudence to address his audience on the 
subject of their civil condition, without an elfort to communicate to 
them moral instruction. The negroes being unwilling to listen to what 
they knew could not benefit them, one of them went to his owner and 
informed him of the course pursued — the gentleman told him that he 
must be mistaken, that the man he spoke of would not make such a 
return for the indulgence afforded him — well, said his informer, " you 
come to-night Massa 2vhere toe hub meeting and you hear for yourself.^* 
The gentleman accordingly took two friends with him and placed him- 
self in a situation to become acquainted with all that transpired, and to 
liis great surprise he heard the speaker delivering a pretty well finish- 
ed abolition discourse to his people. Without any apology for the little 
interruption he occasioned, he with his friends entered tlie house and 
took the orator, in the midst of his labors, unceremoniously into custo- 
dy — he told the negroes tliat he hoped their speaker intended to do 
them good, but as he had forgotten the purpose for which he was ad- 
mitted there, and was attempting to lead them into mischief, he would 
reward him according to his merits. He therefore adopted prompt 
measures for impressing upon the speaker what he supposed would be 
a seasonable lesson of instruction for his future course of conduct, and 
then dismissed him, with directions te make no more visits to that quar, 
ter. He accordingly made an expeditious retreat from the civilities 
he was receiving, and in all probability was ready to complain of the 



[ 28 ] 

little countenance shown to his attempts to corrupt those he pretended 
to instruct. And is it to be supposed that men of this stamp, when 
once known, are to have free access to the plantations of those whose 
confidence they thus abuse ? Or is it surprising that when facts of this 
kind are disclosed, that even missionary services to the coloured popu- 
lation should sometimes be received with suspicion and caution ? 

The conduct of the Abolitionists of the North in their efforts to dis- 
tribute their vile publications through the Southern country is as little 
justifiable as was that of the individual just mentioned. They mani- 
fest an unwarrantable inclination to interfere with our domestic rela- 
tions, and their conduct must have an injurious influence upon the 
intercourse between themselves and our citizens. It is calculated to 
occasion unpleasant feelings towards many who may come here for 
business or for pleasure — particularly may it create suspicions against 
persons coming here to solicit subscriptions for literary works, or for 
the delivery of such, after they have been subscribed for — and those 
suspicions once entertained, would be found seriously embarrassing to 
those against whom they existed. And why should inconveniences 
of this kind be submitted to, in order that a few visionary fanatics 
might be indulged in their extravagance and folly. Their conduct also, 
while it tends to interrupt social intercourse, has a tendency to retard 
the instruction which otherwise many persons might be inclined to 
have communicated to their domestics. For who would take the trou- 
ble of learning his servants to read, when it was known that after he 
had accomplished this, a set of unprincipled beings would watch for 
opportunities of placing in their hands publications not intended to im- 
prove their moral characters, but to corrupt their hearts, and to destroy 
their usefulness? Already have the Abolitionists done more injury to 
our colored population, as relates to their improvement, than they can 
readily repair, even with the aid of Mr. Thompson, from England, who 
seems to have become somewhat conspicuous amongst them. In rela- 
tion to this individual it may not be improper to remark, that as a 
stranger in our land, he seems to be more than politely officious in 
matters he kas no business to meddle with. One would suppose that 
ordinary prudence would suggest to a person just landed upon our 
shores, that the slave question was one which it belonged to our citizens 
to manage for themselves — but Mr. Thompson seems to imagine that 
he can communicate new information to them on this subject, and that 
the warmth of his eloquence is required to enkindle a new glow of fervor 
in relation to it. With the views he entertains, it may be a question 
whether he has not committed an error in the choice of the section 
of country in which to exercise his powers — for, from what we have 
seen, there soems to be no deficiency of zeal in this matter at the 



[ 2n 1 

North, and it would appear, therefore, that it would be at the South 
where his eloquence might most appropriately be employed. To 
make speeches in New York or Boston, about slavery in South Caro- 
lina or Georgia, would seem to be doing nothing that could not be 
ofTected without his aid. If he is desirous of changing the organiza- 
tion of society at the South, to the South let him come — let him here 
unfold his commission and deliver his message, and I have no doubt he 
will have demonstrable evidence that his labors have not been altoge- 
thcr without effect. lie would no doubt receive due attention from 
our citizens, and they would in all probability do rather more justice 
to him, than he has in any of his roniarks,_ ever yet done, or ever will 
do to them. 

Notwithstanding tlio labored representations of such intermeddlers 
as Thompson and others, it is highly probable that the negroes here 
are actually better off than if they were free, and those from abroad 
better off too than if they had never come from Africa. That they 
are better off than if they were free, may be estimated by comparing 
the condition of the free negroes at the North, or in this quarter, with 
that of the slaves, and it would probably be found, with an occasional 
exception in both classes, that the slave population, as to comfort, use- 
fulness and moral character, would have a decided preference. And 
as relates to Africa, it is well known that the negroes there are grossly 
depraved, corrupt, superstitious and cruel — and utterly ignorant of 
those great truths with which their eternal interests are connected ; 
And though their instruction here is acknowledged to be limited, yet 
none of them become, or continue to be, idolaters here ; almost all of 
them have opportunities of hearing the messages of salvation — and 
many of them become eminently pious. I know of more than one in- 
stance of an African negro, who being asked if he was not sorry he 
was brought to this country, replied, "O no massa ; I tank God I been 
brought here — if I had stay in my own country I would never hear 
about Christ. I got to die sometime, but if 1 had not been come here 
I should not know what would become of me after I been dead — but I 
now know I have a blessed Saviour I can trust to — Suppose my body 
suffer sometimes here, what consequence is that, my soul is free, — there 
is one God for slave and for freeman — one Saviour for all — and all 
who trust in him and do their duty here, will be happy when done with 
this world — I bless God that I been brought to this country." This 
was the simple declaration of a poor African here, who, contented 
with his condition upon earth, was faithful in the discharge of his duty, 
and who felt confident of everlasting happiness when his earthly course 
was completed. 

It has not been contemplated, as far as I know, in the attempts to 



[ so ] 

trample upon the rights of the Southern people to make compensation 
for any slaves proposed to be wrested from them, because this would 
induce an expense that could not readily be provided for. But this dif- 
ficulty, it is thought, may be overcome by a sort of refined robbery ; 
that is, by taking the servant from the control and service of his owner, 
and turning him loose in society, in defiance of those constitutional 
provisions, by which it has heretofore been supposed this species of 
property was protected. It would be needless to remark upon the 
palpable injustice of such a course. That circumstances may occur 
when a private injury must be submitted to for the public good, will not 
be questioned — as for instance, when a fire is raging which threatens 
an extensive conflagration, a dweUing house or other building in the 
range of the destructive element, may be blown up, or pulled down, 
without any previous negotiation on the subject, for the exigency of the 
case requires and justifies the proceeding ; but no such necessity exists 
in the slave case, and it would be as reasonable to desire the passage 
of a law to deprive ship owners of their vessels, to be turned adrift on 
the ocean, as to desire the passage of a law to deprive slave owners of 
their servants, to be turned adrift upon land. A desire, it would seem, 
as unnatural to entertain, as it would be unreasonable to attempt to 
execute. 

Were there no slaves in the Southern States, and were the question 
now to be submitted to the inhabitants of them, whether slavery sliould 
be introduced there or not, it is highly probable the decision would bo 
against the expediency of admitting it. But slavery is already here, 
not brought here by the present generation of slave holders, but by 
those, or the ancestors of those, who are now opposed to it ; and it is so 
incorporated with the state of society here in all its ramificalioiis, that 
whether it will ever be exterminated is a question of no easy solution. 
That it cannot, and that it %ciU not be removed by the efforts of the 
Northern anti-slavery or abolition societies may be considered as un- 
questionably certain. Their imprudent course will tend rather to 
retard than advance the object at which they aim, and their expectation-} 
of a speedy execution of their purposes, are altogether extravagant and 
preposterous. From an early period of the settlement of our country, 
slave labor has been employed in producing the valuable staple arti- 
cles of the Southern States, and in advancing their prosperity. More 
than half in value of all the foreign exports of the whole United States 
is at this moment the produce of slave labor, and when to tiiis is added 
the vast amount for interior consumption, and for the coasting conu 
merce, is it to be supposed that a sudden check can be put to that 
industry which produces such important results ? It may be said pos- 
sibly, that it is not intended by the Abolitionists, to check this industry. 
But would not the success of their efforts effectually arrest it, by weak- 
ening the spring, or destroying the impulse which gave to it all its 
activity ? Is it supposed that the consummation oftheir desires, would 
not produce such a deleterious change in the order of society here, as 
seriously to alfect the happiness and prosperity of all classes? The 
labor usually required at the South, must at all events be performed, 
and as no sagacity could speedily substitute free labor, for slave labor, it 
is very evident that the withdrawal of the latter could not fiil of being 



I 31 ] 

tXlensively iMJunou8. AVho could calculate the injury tliul might be 
done to any laboring district, ifall the laborers in it, who had unitbrmly 
felt it a duty to perform the work assigned them, without even the 
mental etlbrt of planning it, were by a sudden change of circumstancea, 
left to plan and execute at their own pleasure — to do any thing or no- 
thing, as inclination might direct ? The results of such a transforma- 
tion may be easily imagined. 

That there will be no immediate change, therefore, in the organization 
nf society at the South, may be considered as absolutely certain ; but 
that there is a meliorating influence pervading the whole system of 
slavery, need not be doubted. To what changes this may eventually 
lead, cannot now be determined ; but whatever these may be, they 
must be brought about by the slave owners themselves, without anv 
foreign interference. And any legislative action on the subject, must 
bo through the legislative authority of the States where slavery pre- 
vails, under special instructions from the citizens of those States. The 
exclusive control of this subject having been " reserved to the States, 
respectively, or to the people thereof," no power over it has ever been 
delegated by them to any other authority whatever. 

As relates to the evil of slavery of which much has been said, I will 
take the liberty to remark, that we are so limited in our capacities, so 
incapable of taking into view the whole system of things, that we can- 
not at all times be certain, that what we would call evil, may not be 
necessary in the arrangements of Providence for the accomplishment 
of his purposes. Poverty, for instance, is usually deemed an evil, and 
such it no doubt is to many who experience its inconveniencies. But it 
is an evil which has always existed, and always viu-it, because wc 
have tiie highest authority for saying it always ?/.•/('/ exist in our world. 
Our Saviour said to his disciples and others, "the poor you have al- 
ways with you," intimating that there would ever be a class of poor 
persons, towards whom acts of benevolence might be extended. Pro- 
vidence, however, could so have directed, as to the capacities or pros- 
perity of individuals in life, that there should not have been any poor in 
the land ; but it was otherwise ordered, and the poor will always make 
an interesting part of the society of men. But the C/CHidition of poverty 
often calls into exercise the most exemplary virtues, and prepares 
those who experience its privations for the most durable riches and 
never ending joys. From the most abject poverty and suffering, La- 
zarus was transported to those realms of bliss, from which the wealthy 
individual was excluded — at whose gate he had lain, little regarded 
except by dogs. And none can be at a loss to determine whose con- 
dition was most desirable when both had made an exchange of worlds- 
An intermixture of good and evil is allotted to every mortal here below, 
and it is only those in whose favor the good is found to preponderate, 
that are esteemed fortunate. Good and evil were so combined in that 
Tree of Knowledge of whose fruit our first parents were forbidden to 
eat, that the bitter evidence of the admixture they wofully experienced, 
when in disobeying the divine command, they foinid the evil they did 
not seek, and lost the good they had previously poascsscd ; and from 
that period to the present day, none of their descendants have been 
exempt from a share of these two qualities, anrl it is to infinite wisdom 
we arc to look, so to overrule the one, as to secure to us a higher degree; 



[ 32 ] 

of the other. In every condition of life there is evil, because in every 
condition there is sin, and no one condition need to be considered as ex- 
clusively evil. Solomon says, "all the days of the afflicted are evil," 
but true as this may be, we know from higher authority, that afflictions 
are often made "to work together for good to those who are exercised 
thereby." 

As all the circumstances connected with our earthly existence are 
under the direction of infinite wisdom, who can say that such a condi- 
tion efslavery might not have been deemed necessary to tlie complete 
organization of society, and may not therefore be classed amongst 
those blessings of the social state from which importa;it good is ulti- 
mately to result ? Such a condition, under different modifications we 
know has existed in every age of the world, and we do not know that 
it will not continue even through the millenial period ; for it will be the 
moral change in the characters of men, and not their change of civil 
condition, which will constitute the happiness of that period, and con- 
tinually increase it. It must be left to the retributions of a. future state 
to produce equality in the conditions of men. In this probationary 
state inequalities will and must exist, the necessities of the social state 
demand and require them. But however various the conditions of men, 
all situations have their appropriate enjoyments ; and of these enjoy, 
ments we may rest assured that servants are not without their share. 
And why then should any efforts be made to excite discontent amongst 
those who feel possessed of comforts suited to their stations, and 
who are in no respect desirous of change? Why labor to make 
those restless and uneasy, who, if not interfered with, would quietly 
perform their duties and be contented ? What can excuse the insolence 
that would intrude upon the domestic concerns of another, for the pur- 
pose of creating discord, where all would otherwise be quietness and 
peace ? The condition of the colored population in the Southern States, 
is better, far better, than the condition of thousands, and tens of thou- 
sands of mdividuals to be found in various nations of Europe, and 
better than that of millions in the "celestial Empire" of China, wno 
may imagine themselves to be highly privileged. 1 saw, not long since, 
an account of a number of Turkish youths, who were chained two and 
two together, and marched into one of the towns of their master, to be 
there enrolled in the lists of the army. They had been unceremoni- 
ously forced from their families and friends, and were compelled to 
join the ranks of those who were destined to be shot at; and they will 
never probably return to the embraces of those relatives and friends 
from whom they have thus been separated — but will either be killed in 
battle, or kept in military vassalage during the remainder of their lives. 
And how many events strongly resembling this, may be found in the 
occurrences of other Foreign nations? And are not the slaves here 
far better off" than these individuals ? Have they not more domestic 
comfort, and far more safety and ease than thousands of individuals 
abroad, whose laborious lives procure for them but a scanty and preca- 
rious subsistence ? Let our Abolitionists then, turn their attention to 
the white sufferers abroad, and avoid all intermeddling with the colored 
people of our own country. There will be no difficulty in finding 
more actual distress and degradation ir. Foreign lands, xhan they wiiH 
ever be able to discover m all the slave holding States of the Union. 



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